𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐒 | peter parker&michelle jones

chapter 10

"it's going to be okay in the end. if it's not okay, it's not the end." -unknown♡

Michelle knew something was wrong with Peter. At first, after the dance, he looked a lot better than he had in the past few weeks. He held himself a bit higher, and the light came back in his eyes. He started spending more time at Stark Industries. And not just time as Spider-Man, he was spending time with Tony Stark himself. The press nearly went insane when pictures of Peter and Tony surfaced. But the sight nearly made Michelle smile.

She knew now that Peter didn't have any father figures in his life, maybe Tony Stark would help with that. Even though he was probably the worst person to fill the empty spot in Peter's life. Tony Stark acting as a father? Now that's a thought that did make Michelle laugh. She wondered how Pepper Potts could handle him. Whenever Michelle would ask Peter he'd go on about how the Tony Stark that she saw in the news was different than the one that took Peter out for ice cream. 

The first time Michelle noticed something was wrong was the Monday after homecoming. She hadn't seen Peter since he'd ran out of the gym but she did see a picture of a certain someone swinging from a building. He was in the old suit, Michelle assumed it was home made based on the way it looked.

"Parker we need to work on our project," Michelle stood in front of Peter with her arms crossed a frown on her face.

"I-I can't" he was stuttering, a steady blush rising to his cheeks, "I've got the-"

"Stark Internship," Michelle finished, she watched his face as he looked guiltily at her.

"I'm s-" he began to apologize, like he always did but Michelle decided Queens could survive one day without their friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

"Great! I'm coming with you," Michelle said raising her chin a bit higher, "I'm sure the amazing Tony Stark wouldn't mind me coming along. Especially if it's for a school project."

Peter was staring at her in shock, he'd never been challenged before and he clearly didn't have another excuse. He had no way out.

"I-I don't know i-if Mister S-Stark wants-" he was stuttering more than he ever had before.

"I'll call him." Michelle said with a shrug and if possible, Peter looked even more shocked.

"Y-You'll what?" Peter was beginning to sweat. Damn, someone needed to teach this kid how to lie.

"Give me your phone, I'll call him," Michelle held out her hand expectantly and Peter glanced at it and apparently made up his mind.

"Y-you know what? I'm sure he won't mind," Peter gave her something that resembled a smile and jumped when the bell rang. Lunch was over.

***

"We're playing football!" Coach Wilson looked as careless as ever as several groans erupted from the bleachers. "Ah suck it up, it's only flag." He blew his whistle and the students made their way outside.

Michelle stood behind Flash and Harry who were whispering and laughing about something, their eyes were very clearly on Peter who stood next to Ned, his eyes on Mary Jane. Michelle rolled her eyes, Ever since Liz had left Peter had been staring at Mary Jane a lot more. Michelle tried not to notice when Mary Jane started telling  people to call her Mj. Peter still called her Mary Jane.

"C'mon Harry! All we got to do is pile up on him, say we did it on accident, easy embarrassment for Peter," she looked up when she heard Flash's voice. She knew Peter would be fine, he was stronger than all of the boys in the class combined, but she still clenched her fist on her book, almost involuntarily. The group split into teams, the only thing she noticed was that Peter was on a team with almost all the girls, not that he seemed to mind.